Pep: Last season's level won't be enough

Aguero opened the scoring 15 minutes later when his glanced header from Kevin De Bruyne’s pinpoint cross guided the ball past Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal.

It was the striker’s 12th goal against the Magpies since his arrival in English football in 2011 and De Bruyne’s 10th assist of the season in the Premier League, more than any other player in the division.

City doubled their lead on the hour mark when Aguero scored from the penalty spot after Javier Manquillo had brought down Raheem Sterling. That, you sensed, would open the floodgates.

But Newcastle halved the arrears four minutes later. Ciaran Clark’s fine first-time pass opened up the City defence and put Jacob Murphy clean through, and he produced a cool chip over the onrushing Ederson to make it 2-1.

Aguero completed his hat-trick moments later after Leroy Sane's brilliant assist. They Germany ace danced past three inside the box before crossing beautifully for the Argentine to score from close range.